frumenta
The English phrase "grains" is translated into Latin as frumenta.
frumenta refers to cereal crops used for food, such as wheat or barley. It is a term that encompasses both crops and grains.
Which one should you use?
While frumenta refers to grains or crops generally, the term farrago is used specifically to denote a mixture of various grains.
Did you know?
- The Latin word for grain-selling, frumentarius, later became the title for a secret police agent in the Roman Empire who spied on citizens.
- In Latin, the word farrago for mixed grains evolved into the English word 'farrago', which now means a confused mixture of things or a hodgepodge.
- While frumenta covers most grains, the Romans used the specific word far for an ancient type of emmer wheat that was essential for their early religious sacrifices.
Examples in context
- Horreum plenum frumentorum estThe granary is full of grains
- Cerealia saepe in mensa nostra suntCereal grains are often on our table
- Habeo multos granosI have many grains
- Habeo multas spicas triticiI have many wheat ears
- Frumenta in agro sunt.The grains are in the field.
- Nunc frumenta emere debemus.Now we must buy grains.
- Frumenta optima sunt.The grains are excellent.
Example conversation
Quintus and Claudia are discussing the harvest.
- QuintusUbi sunt nostra frumenta?Where are our grains?
- ClaudiaFrumenta in horreo sunt, Quinte.The grains are in the barn, Quintus.
- QuintusSuntne frumenta sicca?Are the grains dry?
- ClaudiaIta, frumenta sicca sunt.Yes, the grains are dry.
